Using Spectral CT to Diagnose Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of measuring thyroid function comprising identifying a subject in need of measuring thyroid function or structure; providing the subject with an amount of an organified iodine sufficient to cause thyroid follicular cell uptake; and obtaining sufficient spectral computed tomography images of the iodine uptake in thyroid cells over an amount of time sufficient to determine thyroid cellular function.

1 . A method of measuring thyroid function comprising:
 identifying a subject in need of measuring thyroid function or structure;   providing the subject with an amount of an organified iodine sufficient to cause thyroid follicular cell uptake; and   obtaining sufficient spectral computed tomography images of the iodine uptake in thyroid cells over an amount of time sufficient to determine thyroid cellular function.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thyroid is suspect of having at least one of a thyroid nodule, euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothroidism, thyroid cancer metastasis, thyroid cancer recurrence, or thyroid disease. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the organified iodine is provided to the subject orally, intravenously, intraperitoneally, enterally, parenterally, or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the organified iodine is potassium iodide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thyroid tissue or cellular function is determined without the need for radioactive isotopes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Spectral CT scan is capable of providing at least one of higher spatial resolution, a cross-sectional image, or a 3D rendering of thyroid tissue or thyroid cells. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a pre-scan thyroid iodine base line of 1 to 2 mg/mL in thyroid tissue before providing the organified iodine to the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying an iodine map of the thyroid or thyroid tissue of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying one or more contrast enhanced structures of the thyroid or thyroid tissue without calcium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing the subject with thyrotropin alfa prior to, concurrently with, or after providing the subject with the organified iodine to increase uptake of iodine in the thyroid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of obtaining a spectral CT scan and measuring at least one of incidental thyroid nodules (ITN), benign thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer nodules, a thyroid cancer malignancy, or a thyroid cancer recurrence. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of obtaining a thyroid function scan at a first time before treatment of a thyroid cancer, and obtaining a second thyroid function scan after a pre-determined time following treatment, and comparing the function at the two or more times to determine the effect of the treatment of thyroid function. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image of the thyroid is not phase dependent. 
     
     
         14 . A method of measuring thyroid function comprising:
 identifying a subject in need of measuring thyroid function;   providing the subject with an amount of an organified iodine sufficient to measure the presence of iodine in thyroid follicular cells in the thyroid tissue; and   obtaining sufficient spectral computed tomography images of the iodine in the thyroid follicular cells for an amount of time sufficient to measure thyroid tissue or thyroid cellular function.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the thyroid is suspect of having at least one of a thyroid nodule, euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothroidism, thyroid cancer metastasis, thyroid cancer recurrence, or thyroid disease. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the organified iodine is provided to the subject orally, intravenously, intraperitoneally, enterally, parenterally, or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the organified iodine is potassium iodide. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the thyroid tissue or thyroid cellular function is determined without the use of radioactive isotopes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the Spectral CT scan is capable of providing at least one of higher spatial resolution, cross-sectional images, or 3D renderings of thyroid tissue or thyroid cells. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of determining a pre-scan thyroid iodine base line of 1 to 2 mg/mL in thyroid tissue before providing the organified iodine to the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of displaying an iodine map of the thyroid of the subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of displaying one or more contrast enhanced structures of the thyroid without calcium. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing the subject with thyrotropin alfa prior to, concurrently with, or after providing the subject with the organified iodine to increase uptake of iodine in the thyroid. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of obtaining a spectral CT scan and measuring at least one of incidental thyroid nodule (ITN) diagnosis, benign thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer nodules, thyroid cancer malignancies, or thyroid cancer recurrence. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of obtaining a thyroid function scan at a first time before treatment of a thyroid cancer, and obtaining a second thyroid function scan after a pre-determined time following treatment, and comparing the function at the two or more times to determine the effect of the treatment of thyroid function. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the image of the thyroid is not phase dependent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the image of the thyroid is at the cellular or subcellular level. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)